Current News

Charlie comes from a large family of black bass and is the closest cousin to the largemouth bass, both abundant in our local fishery. The guy you see in the picture has been with me for about 28 years, and has a cool history.

Lewiston Town Board members opened 2014 amidst a host of familiar issues and questions, from drainage to lagoons, CWM to finance. Among the newsmakers:

Hard Rock Café, Niagara Falls, USA, is on the search for local rock stars to take the stage in the heart of the Roman Empire with "Hard Rock Rising," the world's largest and most far-reaching battle of the bands competition.

Staff and volunteers from the Niagara Hospice Alliance are gearing up for the 2014 spring bouquet sale, which runs March 3-9, with pre-sale bouquets being ordered now and throughout the month of February.

The Queen City Roller Girls' travel team, the Lake Effect Furies, have been searching for the best chili the area has to offer. Spicy, savory or sweet; meat lovers or strictly vegetarian - that's OK; these roller derby skaters want it all.

IRS-certified accounting students from the University at Buffalo School of Management will again provide free tax preparation services to individuals and families with annual incomes below $51,000.

The Kohl's Department Stores "Kohl's Cares" scholarship program will award nearly $400,000 in scholarships and prizes this year to more than 2,300 young volunteers who have made a positive impact in their communities. Nominations for kids ages 6 to 18 will be accepted through March 14 at kohlskids.com.

As the Internal Revenue Service starts processing returns, it joins partners nationwide in launching the Earned Income Tax Credit Awareness Day outreach campaign to ensure millions of low- and moderate-income workers get the credit they deserve (and get it right).

Local officials and community organizations across the country are holding news conferences and outreach events highlighting the benefits of this key work incentive for individuals and families who earned $51,567 or less last year. An estimated four out of five eligible workers and families get the credit, but millions miss it annually either because they don't claim it when filing, or don't file a tax return at all.

The Ken-Ton YMCA is offering programming for preschoolers during February break (Feb. 17-21). Staffers will keep children engaged in fun and engaging classes, such as "Little Chef's," "Crafty Critters," "Messy Play," "Princess Power" and "Ahoy Mate's."

Kevin Nealon brings his unique sense of humor and dry wit to Niagara Falls, Ontario, as headliner of Fallsview Casino Resort's May entertainment.

Russell Wilson, quarterback of the Super Bowl XLVIII-winning Seattle Seahawks, talks about helping his team win its first championship title when he visits the "Late Show with David Letterman, tonight (11:35 p.m.) on the CBS Television Network.

BPO to welcome Renée Fleming, Leon Botstein, Matthew Morrison, Ben Vereen; Beethoven and Rachmaninoff showcases, collaborations with the Irish Classical Theater Company and the University at Buffalo, and the energy of Broadway and The Cotton Club are just a few aspects of the BPO's season.

John C. Senall, principal and founder of Mobile First Media LLC, a digital strategy and mobile/Web communications and marketing provider, was elected chairman of the Public Relations Society of America's Northeast District Volunteer Leadership Council for 2014.

NBCUniversal will surround the XXII Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia, with the most extensive multi-platform coverage and promotion in Winter Games history. The 2014 Olympic Winter Games are an "NBCUniversal Gold Symphony" initiative, which leverages the company's promotional resources to drive awareness to key events.

Opportunities Unlimited of Niagara, Niagara County's largest not-for-profit agency providing programs and services to people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities and their families, seeks nominations for individuals to serve on its board of directors and standing committees.

Following William Paladino's meeting with the Village of Lewiston Planning Board Wednesday, the Sentinel asked the Ellicott Development CEO how he intends to convince residents his plaza idea is worthwhile.

The New York state Educational Conference Board reports aid to education would need to rise by a minimum of $1.5 billion in 2014-15 for schools to maintain current education programs.

An avid sports fan, professor Jimmy Smith, Ph.D., was ecstatic last fall when the dean of Niagara University's College of Hospitality and Tourism Management asked if he would chaperone its annual experiential learning trip to the Super Bowl.

In a "Today" television exclusive, Facebook's chairman and CEO Mark Zuckerberg talks to Savannah Guthrie as he celebrates a milestone: the company's 10th anniversary. Zuckerberg told Guthrie he always thought there would be a service that would connect the world, but "he never thought they'd be the ones to help do it."

Niagara County Republicans backed a slate of candidates for state, federal and local offices Thursday night at the Wheatfield Community Center, lining up behind experienced incumbents seeking re-election to a host of offices.

William Paladino met with the Village of Lewiston Planning Board Wednesday to update members on the status of his development plan. The Ellicott Development CEO intends to create a U-shaped plaza with three main units: 1) two restaurants (one fast food) and a retail store; 2) a two-story retail/bank/commercial building; and 3) a drug store. He may build condos on the lot's west end, too.

"It's taken us long to get to this point, because every time we move or tweak anything, it has to go back to the engineers and they've got to redo everything because of the site grades and slopes and things of that nature," Paladino said.

"Shake" (that bottle), "Rattle" (that toy) and "Roll" out the guest of honor: its Daphne Oz's baby shower on "The Chew." It's an hour of laughter and fun so big it has its own hashtag. Viewers are invited to join the celebration via Facebook and Twitter using #BunInTheOven when posting their well wishes to Daphne.

The "Late Show with David Letterman" will pay tribute to the 50th anniversary of The Beatles' groundbreaking first appearance on the "Ed Sullivan Show" with performances of Beatles music from top artists on the broadcast.

Members of the Village of Lewiston's retail district met with Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce leaders Wednesday. They spoke out against the idea of permitting food trucks to operate on Center Street.

"One of my problems that I have is that, when you cultivate something and you build this great harvest, and somebody just wants to come in and pick the fruit and leave," Water Street Landing proprietor Jon DiBernardo said. "It's kind of a dangerous precedent."

He suggested food trucks have an unfair advantage over brick-and-mortar eateries.

Ransomville United Methodist Church, 2573 Youngstown Lockport Road will host a country breakfast Saturday, Feb. 22, from 8:30 to 11 a.m.

Niagara Frontier Publications Publisher Skip Mazenauer was presented the Niagara University Family Business Center Vision Award on Jan. 29. The award recognizes businesspeople who are successful, lead a family- or privately owned Western New York business, are committed to benefiting the community, and who have created something when others did not foresee an opportunity.

The Ransomville United Methodist Church, 2573 Youngstown Lockport Road, is hosting a country breakfast Saturday, Feb. 22. The breakfast includes scrambled eggs, hash browns, sausage, fruit, pancakes, homemade baked goods, juice and coffee.

Quality, long-lasting products that look nice and serve a need - that's what shoppers will find at Lewiston's Antique to Chic.

On Saturday, Feb. 8, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Dr. Glenda R. Rose and Dr. Thomas G. Barba of Rose Chiropractic P.C. in Lewiston will sponsor the 24th annual "Doctors with a Heart Day" for their patients.

Community Missions Inc. will hold its 17th annual "Sweetheart Dinner" on Friday, Feb. 7, at the Sheraton at the Falls in Niagara Falls.

St. John Lutheran School, 6950 Ward Road, Wheatfield, is hosting its 23rd annual family-style turkey dinner from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 9.

The following is a sampling of the 159 calls received by the Town of Niagara Police between Tuesday, Jan. 21 and 26.

St. Peter's Lutheran Church, 6168 Walmore Road in Sanborn, will host its monthly contemporary worship gathering, "Saturday Night Alive," starting at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8.

First Presbyterian Church of Youngstown announces its "Second Saturday" concert series continues Saturday, Feb. 8, at 7 p.m. at 100 Church St.

The Lewiston Public Library, 305 S. Eighth St., in the Village of Lewiston, announces the following for the month of February:

Quasar bounced back in the news this week at the Wheatfield Town Board meeting with an announcement that company officials will speak at a public information meeting Feb. 24.

The company wants to discuss with the board a site plan modification for an accessory storage tank for equate at the Quasar facility on Liberty Drive.

The meeting will begin at 7 p.m., prior to the regular Town Board meeting at Town Hall.

"It's an information meeting. It's nothing more than that," Town Supervisor Bob Cliffe emphasized. "The folks from Quasar will come and give us their ideas and talk about their design."

The 2014 Grand Island Relay For Life will hold its kickoff event Feb. 5, and those who attend should go ready to rock.

Organizers of the GI Relay have adopted "Rock-Out Cancer" as the 2014 theme for the fund drive to support the American Cancer Society. The kickoff for 2014 will take place at Veronica Connor Middle School's cafeteria, 1100 Ransom Road, on Wednesday, Feb. 5, at 7 p.m.

At the kickoff, awards recognizing achievement from the 2013 Relay will be handed out as well.

High jinks on the high seas is the setting for Grand Island High School's annual musical.

"The Pirates of Penzance" will be presented Thursday, Feb. 6; Friday, Feb. 7; and Saturday, Feb. 8, on the high school stage. This ambitious production is one of Gilbert and Sullivan's best known comic operettas.

A proposed law to require public assembly permits had another hearing at Town Hall.

Local Law Intro No. 3 of 2013 - Public Assembly Permit would regulate parades and special events having more than 200 persons in attendance.

George K. Minton, a resident of Grand Island, entered into rest Jan. 20, 2014.